Easy Beef Pares Recipe

This Beef Pares is a classic Filipino comfort food known for its rich, savory-sweet flavors. Tender beef chunks simmered in a flavorful broth with soy sauce, garlic, and spices make it a hearty and easy-to-prepare dish.

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Beef Pares is one of the easiest and most flavorful Filipino beef recipes you can make at home. Lately, there’s been a TikTok craze over Diwata Pares Overload, with long lines of Filipinos waiting to get a taste.

But why wait in line when you can whip up your own in the comfort of your kitchen? No need to fight the crowd when you can have tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness right at home. This recipe brings all the delicious flavors of the Filipino street food classics like Chicken Inasal, Filipino Barbecue Skewers, Ube Turon and Taho without the hype or hassle!

What is Beef Pares?

Beef Pares (pronounced pah-res) is a popular Filipino dish known for its tender braised beef simmered in a savory-sweet soy sauce-based broth, typically served with garlic fried rice and a light soup.

This comforting meal, whose name means "pair" in Tagalog, originated from Manila’s street food scene in the 1970s and is loved for its flavorful balance of spices and melt-in-your-mouth meat.

It’s the perfect dish to enjoy for a cozy, hearty meal.

🔪How to Make Beef Pares?

1. Pre-soften the Beef (Optional): If using an Instant Pot, add the meat and enough water to cover. Cook on high pressure for 30-40 minutes until the beef is tender. Set aside the broth and beef. Skip this step if you prefer to cook on the stovetop.

2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger, sautéing until fragrant and softened.

3. Add Beef and Spices: Toss in the pre-softened beef (or raw) if cooking on the stovetop) and season with soy sauce, oyster sauce, star anise, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and bouillon. Stir well to coat the beef with the spices.

4. Simmer: Pour in stock (you used to pressure cook the meat) and bring the mixture to a simmer. If cooking raw, add water (enough to cover the meast and simmer for 1-2 hours until the meat is tender. If pre-softened, simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Make Cornstarch Slurry for Thickening: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to form a slurry. Stir it into the mixture and continue to simmer until the sauce thickens.
6. Adjust the Flavor: Stir in brown sugar and season with pepper to taste. Adjust saltiness by adding more soy sauce or sugar to balance the sweetness.
7. Finish with Sesame Oil: Stir in sesame oil for a nutty finish, then remove the star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf.
8. Serve: Serve over hot rice and garnish with chopped green onions for a delicious, aromatic meal.

Variations

• Spicy: Add chili flakes or fresh chili for a fiery twist, perfect for those who enjoy a spicy kick.
• Mami: Serve your pares with noodles in a flavorful broth for a comforting noodle soup variation.
• Sweet and Savory: Increase the brown sugar for a sweeter profile, balancing out the soy sauce’s saltiness even more.
• Tapa Style: Slice the beef thinner and cook it in the same sauce, serving it tapa-style with fried rice and egg.
• Garlic-Loaded: Sauté extra garlic and mix it into the dish for an even more aromatic and savory flavor.
• Vegetarian Pares: Swap for tofu or mushrooms, using the same savory-sweet sauce for a plant-based option.
• Crispy Pares: Fry the braised chunks after simmering to create crispy bites with a tender inside.

🥗What To Serve With This?

Beef Pares is traditionally served with garlic fried rice (sinangag) and a side of clear broth for dipping, creating a delightful combination of flavors. You can also pair it with the following:

1. Steamed Rice: Plain steamed rice is a simple and classic accompaniment that complements the savory-sweet flavors of Pares.
2. Fried Egg: A sunny-side-up or over-easy fried egg is a common addition, and the runny yolk can add a luscious richness to the dish.
3. Pickled Vegetables: Sliced pickled vegetables, often called "atchara" in Filipino cuisine, provide a tangy and crunchy contrast to the rich beef.
4. Chili Sauce: A bit of spicy chili sauce or vinegar-based dipping sauce can add a zesty kick to the meal.
5. Sliced Scallions: Garnish with freshly sliced scallions or green onions for a burst of freshness and color.
6. Fried Garlic: Top with crispy fried garlic for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
7. Noodles: Boil noodles according to instruction and top it with beef pares. I used a store bought Trader Joes Squiggly noodles here.

Feel free to mix and match these accompaniments to suit your preferences.

Storage and Freezing Instruction

Storing is simple, making it perfect for meal prep or easy leftovers. Just let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container.

For freezing, divide into portions and place in freezer-safe bags or containers. This can be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm on the stovetop.

⏲️Time-Saving Tips

Using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker to cook the beef is a great time-saving technique. Lock the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook the meat for 20-30 minutes, adjusting for chunk size. After cooking, allow natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes and do a quick release if necessary.

As the beef cools, fat will solidify on the surface, simplifying fat removal. Skim off the fat with a spoon, or refrigerate it briefly to solidify the fat more for easier removal. Removing the solidified fat ensures that your Pares is flavorful without excess grease.

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